Former State Senator Frank Padavan passed away earlier this week. He was 83 years old.

Padavan, a Republican, represented the 11th Senate District, which includes northeast Queens neighborhoods from Whitestone all the way to Queens Village, from 1973 until 2010.

He was succeeded by Democrat Tony Avella, who issued a statement upon hearing the news.

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former State Senator Frank Padavan,” he said. “He will be well remembered as someone who fought diligently for Northeast Queens and served our community well.”

Born in Brooklyn, Padavan attended Newtown High School and received his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute.

After receiving his master’s in business administration from New York University, he went on to work for Westinghouse as an engineer.

Padavan spent three decades as a reserve member of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He was appointed Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Buildings in 1968, a position he held until he was elected to the State Senate in 1972.

Republican Councilman Eric Ulrich said in a statement that Padavan was a staunch advocate for his district and the forgotten middle class.

“He was an absolute gentleman and raised the bar for public service,” Ulrich said. “He will be remembered for his enormous legislative accomplishments in Albany, as well as the positive impact he had at home in the borough of Queens.”